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                   ISA Bus: Installing Quarterdeck's QRAM                  
                                                                           
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QRAM

  QRAM is a "memory enhancer" for 8088/8086 or 80286-based computers which
  have an EMS 4.0 compatible memory board such as the Above Board ISA, Plus,
  or Plus 8. It requires an EMS page frame larger than 4 pages (4 pages =
  64Kb).  QRAM takes over EMS pages beyond the required 4 pages and converts
  them to "high memory".  Quarterdeck's LOADHI program can then load device
  drivers and memory resident programs into high memory, leaving more
  conventional memory free for other programs.  You can instruct QRAM to use
  the entire page frame if you do not have any applications that require
  expanded memory.

  Tech Notes:
  Quarterdeck's QRAM v2.0 in the IBM PS/2 Model 30 requires the NOXBDA
  parameter on the QRAM.SYS device driver line in the CONFIG.SYS file.
  NOXBDA stands for No Extended BIOS Data Area.  If the NOXBDA parameter is
  not present, QRAM will attempt to relocate it resulting in system lockup.
  MOVE'EM from Qualitas may have a similar command.

QRAM COMPATIBILITY WITH ABOVE BOARDS

  The Above Board Plus and Above Board Plus 8 are completely compatible.
  Other installed options, such as VGA boards or network boards, may limit
  the number of extra pages in the EMS page frame.

            NOTE:  The QRAM manual contains an error about the Above
            Board upgrade kit.  The Above Board Plus does not need to be
            upgraded to allow QRAM to function; the Above Board 286 does.
            To upgrade an Above Board 286, call (800) 356-3071 and order
            the "Above Board Upgrade Kit".  The cost of the kit is $99
            (US.).

  Any Above Boards which have switches, (Above Board PC, PS/PC, AT, PS/AT),
  have LIMITED compatibility.  Since these boards do not support page frames
  larger than 4 pages (64Kb), QRAM must be instructed to use the entire page
  frame for high memory.  This will prevent other programs from accessing
  expanded memory.  Some Above Board AT and PS/AT users may find it
  acceptable to set the Above Board for 512Kb expanded and the remaining
  memory as extended, then have QRAM use the entire page frame as high
  memory.

USING QRAM WITH ABOVE BOARDS

  REQUIREMENTS:
  -    Above Board ISA, Plus 8, Above Board Plus, (or an Above Board 286
       that's been upgraded to a Plus), or the Matched Memory Classic.
  -    Above Board installation software diskette dated 6/90 or later.

  The expanded memory page frame must be in at least a 64Kb contiguous
  block.  Additional 16Kb pages may be discontiguous.  Intel Above Boards
  can map the range C000-EFFF on 8088/8086 based systems, and C000-DFFF on
  80286 based systems or better.

  ADJUSTING THE EXPANDED MEMORY PAGE FRAME...
  By default, the expanded memory manager EMM.SYS will automatically search
  the range C000-DFFF and map available 16Kb pages.  There are parameters
  you can add to the EMM.SYS device driver line in the CONFIG.SYS file that
  will allow you to specify exactly which pages EMM.SYS is to map.  These
  parameters are used to resolve conflicts with other add-in boards having
  ROM in the same address space as the expanded memory page frame.

  PARAMETERS...
  Run the program SOFTSET from the Above Board installation diskette before
  adding any additional parameters.

  EXPF=  (EXPanded First)  Sets the starting address for EMM's search for
  available pages.  Add EXPF=C800 to tell EMM to search the range C800-DFFF
  instead of the default search range of C000-DFFF.

  EP=    (Exclude Page)  Allows you to exclude a page, a list of pages, or a
  range of pages to prevent EMM.SYS from using them.  Add EP=C000,C800 to
  exclude those two particular pages.  Add EP=C000-CFFF to exclude the
  entire range from C000-CFFF.



End of file                 Intel FaxBack # 1008          December 2,1992
